Marliese Vaughn

Marliese Wilkonski Vaughn, 84, a resident of Libby for the past 60 years, died Thursday evening at Cabinet Peaks Medical Center in Libby.  She was born in Strasbourg, France to Joseph and Marie (Wahl) Dolich June 16, 1930.  She married Henry Wilkonski on April 30, 1949 in Fontainbleau, France.

Marliese and Henry, along with their young family, came to the United States in 1954, living first in the Flathead Valley before coming to Libby in 1955.  A skilled bookkeeper and business person, Marliese worked for several businesses in Libby and was also a dedicated mother of eight children.  Marliese had a green thumb, putting her great gardening skills to use in operating Wilkonski Gardens and Nursery at her home along the Kootenai River.  Her husband Henry preceded her in death in 1992.

She married Ben Vaughn in 2004; they enjoyed 10 wonderful years of life together until Ben’s passing in July of last year.

Survivors include her children, Richard, Chris, Tami, Mike, Sue, Renee, Ron and John as well as seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Also surviving are her sisters, Yvonne Decker of Libby and Christiane Vernalde of France.

The family wishes to invite friends to a gathering in her memory on Saturday, Jan. 24 from 12 noon until 2 p.m. at the Fireside Room of the Venture Inn.  Condolences and memories may also be shared online at www.schnackenbergfh.com.  

Memorials may be made to the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind Foundation, P.O. Box 6576, Great Falls, Montana 59406.